Twitter Reactions: Clinical Australia win their first ODI series since January 2017

Australia have managed to do an unthinkable. They have beaten India in the five-match ODI series staging one of the remarkable comebacks after being 0-2 down. More than anything, this is their first series victory in the 50-over format since January 2017 and ahead of the World Cup, this comes as a huge confidence booster for them. Defending 273 runs to seal the series, the visitors bundled out the Men in Blue for just 237 runs to register a 35-run win.

India lost an early wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in the chase thanks to the ever reliant Pat Cummins and then the duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were near flawless. Both added 53 runs for the second wicket partnership in a quick time and just when the momentum was shifting India’s way, the latter got out against the run of play. Marcus Stoinis played the spoilsport here to stun the crowd by sending the local boy back to the hut.

Rishabh Pant batted at four today and even he cannot make the most of the opportunity. He also blown away his chances of making it to the World Cup now after another low score. Vijay Shankar looked good while he was in the middle but was lured into a big shot unnecessarily to throw his wicket. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma got to his half-century but failed to get going eventually to get stumped off Adam Zampa.

His wicket turned the game in Australia’s favour. Ravindra Jadeja continued to fail with the bat even as Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept the team in the game with a fighting partnership. However, the pressure was always on them to up the ante and both fell in quick succession which ended India’s hopes. They also lost the series at home for the first time since 2015-16 series against South Africa.

Khawaja leads the charts again

Earlier in the day, Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Their openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja got them off to a brilliant start with the former being castled by Jadeja. But Khawaja batted beautifully again rotating the strike well and also notched up yet another century. Peter Handscomb also slammed a half-century to almost seal his place in the team now.

They were sitting pretty at 175/1 in the 33rd over and it felt like Australia will score more than 300 easily. But India made a stunning comeback and picked wickets in clusters. The visitors could only add 97 runs for the last eight wickets to end up on 272 after 50 overs. The score was enough though in the end as they sealed a historic series win to become only the fifth team to come out victorious after being 0-2 down.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Looks to me like the Aussies might be just getting something going at the right time …. #CWC19 !!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 13, 2019

Over. And Out.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 13, 2019

Delhi has fallen #indvsaus

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 13, 2019

One word… Without Kohli(100% performance) we can't dream of World Cup 2019.. #INDvAUS

— anup mahapatra❗ (@am_i_anup) March 13, 2019

Unnecessary changes and unwanted rest just to check everyone before World Cup..The two major reasons for this defeat..
But we can't take credit from Australians as they played really well without their two strongest pillars..!!#INDvAUS

— Ujjwal Thakur (@ashutosh5897_v) March 13, 2019

Remarkable stuff in Delhi, where Australia have completed a 3-2 ODI win over India after being 2-0 down. The World Cup cat is officially among the pigeons.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) March 13, 2019

This is also India's first ODI series defeat at home under the leadership of Virat Kohli. #INDvsAUS

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 13, 2019

🔹First ODI series defeat at home under Kohli
🔹First series defeat for India at home since 2016
🔹First series win for Australia in ODIs in two years
🔹First time India have lost three consecutive ODIs under Kohli's captaincy#INDvAUS https://t.co/VrsTufGkOu

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 13, 2019

India now becomes the only side to lose an ODI series (of five or more matches) on two occasions after leading 2-0#IndvAus

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 13, 2019

The inconsistency of openers in this series has thoroughly exposed the batting frailty of India. Not just no.4, India also suffers from a long tail. Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Shami cannot be trusted to even score 20 runs. Should Bhuvi play ahead of Shami or all 5 must be in XI?

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) March 13, 2019

Well won @CricketAus! Showed immense character and skills to come from being 2-0 down and take the series 3-2. Doesn't matter who India played. A series win to remember for long. Well played!

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 13, 2019

Congrats Aus for winning both T20 & ODI series. Particularly the latter after losing first two matches — a quite remarkable turnaround 👏👏

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 13, 2019

Usman Khawaja – 383 runs in five ODIs at 76.60. Strike-rate 88.86.

Pat Cummins – 14 wickets in five ODIs at 15.71. Economy rate: 4.64

Who would be your Man of the Series? Khawaja might be the popular choice, but I'd go with Cummins. #INDvAUS

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) March 13, 2019

Aust win an ODI series from 0-2 down for first time ever. Aust win an ODI series in India for first time since 2009. Aust win an ODI series for first time since January 2017 #IndvAus

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 13, 2019

Give time to @RishabPant777 Don't be harsh. He'll get stronger #INDvAUS #5thODI

— shriram (@imVshriram) March 13, 2019

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